Massachusetts
Governor
Maura Healey (Democrat)
House Party
Democratic Supermajority
Senate Party
Democratic Supermajority
Key Offices & Links
54
13
Northeast
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
- In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
- Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
- Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Massachusetts
Climate Policies in Massachusetts
| Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | Year Enacted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enacted |
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33% by 2025 | 50% by 2030 | 75% by 2040 | net-zero and at least 85% by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
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2025 and 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan 2050 Clean Energy and Climate Plan Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2022 | |
| Enacted |
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The 1990-2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in March 2023. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
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Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
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Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) Implementation Advisory Committee Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2012 | |
| Enacted |
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The Massachusetts Constitution states: "The people shall have the right to clean air and water, freedom from excessive and unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic qualities of their environment; and the protection of the people in their right to the conservation, development and utilization of the agricultural, mineral, forest, water, air and other natural resources is hereby declared to be a public purpose. The general court shall have the power to enact legislation necessary or expedient to protect such rights. In the furtherance of the foregoing powers, the general court shall have the power to provide for the taking, upon payment of just compensation therefor, or for the acquisition by purchase or otherwise, of lands and easements or such other interests therein as may be deemed necessary to accomplish these purposes. Lands and easements taken or acquired for such purposes shall not be used for other purposes or otherwise disposed of except by laws enacted by a two thirds vote, taken by yeas and nays, of each branch of the general court.” Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 1972 | |
| Enacted |
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"Environmental justice populations" are neighborhoods where the median household income is 65% or less of the statewide median, minorities comprise 40% or more of the population, 25% or more of households lack English proficiency, or minorities comprise 25% of the population and the median household income does not exceed 150%. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2022 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
| Enacted |
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Massachusetts Office of Environmental Justice and Equity EEA – Environmental Justice Task Force, with staff that serve as EJ points of contact representing each EEA agency and office EEA – Undersecretary of Environmental Justice & Equity EEA – Director and Deputy Director of Environmental Justice DEP – Director of Environmental Justice Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | |||
| Enacted |
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Requires certain facilities seeking air emissions permits in or near communities with EJ populations to conduct a cumulative impact analysis that includes meaningful public involvement of EJ populations. S.2067 requires a cumulative impact analysis for all large renewable and clean energy projects. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2024 | |
| In-Progress |
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The Commission on Fossil Fuel Workforce must submit a report on ways to increase fossil fuel workers' access to employment, training, and workforce opportunities in clean energy industries by December 31, 2025 Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
| Enacted |
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Office of Energy Transformation within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | 2024 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Energy Transformation Advisory Board and the Commission of Fossil Fuel Workforce Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | 2024 | |
| Not Enacted |
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Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition |